Huskies’ LB Hau’oli Kikaha finalist for 2014 Lombardi Award

Washington Huskies senior linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha was named one of the finalists for this year’s Rotary Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation’s top college lineman.

Linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha is among a group of Huskies defenders up for major awards this season. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Kikaha, who tops the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the lead with 16.5 sacks, was named one of four Lombardi finalists on Thursday, and will compete with defensive ends Vic Beasley of Clemson and Joey Bosa of Ohio State, as well as fellow linebacker Scooby Wright III of Arizona for the award.

After suffering knee injuries that knocked him out of all but four games in 2011 and the entire 2012 season, Kikaha came back strong in 2013, picking up 13 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-3, 246-pounder has continued his excellent form this season, becoming the program’s all-time sack leader in an Oct. 25 loss to Arizona State and ascending to the top of NFL draft boards.

Kikaha was also named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award on Thursday, while teammate Shaq Thompson, who has starred for the Huskies as both a linebacker and running back this season, was named a finalist for the 2014 Paul Hornung Award as one of the nation’s most versatile players.

Thompson was named a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Award (player of the year) on Wednesday, while Thompson was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award (best linebacker) in October, while both Kikaha and nose tackle Danny Shelton were named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player).